Portable Stove And/Or Fire Pit

ABSTRACT

A portable camping stove/fire pit has a cylindrical combustion chamber having a bottom member and circularly configured vertical side wall which extends upwardly from the bottom member and terminates in a top edge. The circularly configured side wall has a plurality of spaced apart vertically oriented slots, where each of the slots extends from the exterior of the combustion chamber into the interior. The circularly configured side wall has a plurality of vertically aligned louver members disposed in a spiraling configuration about the combustion chamber, where each louver is disposed tangentially to a respective vertical slot. During combustion within the combustion chamber, a flow of air is drawn past the plurality of vertically aligned louver members, through the slots into the interior, thereby forming a vortex as combustion occurs within the combustion chamber.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

THIS APPLICATION CLAIMS DOMESTIC PRIORITY TO U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/130,315 ISSUING AS U.S. Pat. No. 10,746,408 ON Aug. 18,2020.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed invention generally pertains to portablecombustion devices utilized for cooking, providing heat, and generalambience, where the combustion device consumes a fuel such as wood logs,branches, twigs, chips, paper, cardboard, and other types of combustiblefibrous materials (hereinafter collectively referred to as a “woodproduct”).

Combustion devices, such as barbeques and fire pits, have been used formany years to provide heat and light which are enjoyed for warmth,cooking, and general ambience. In particular, campers utilize camp firesto provide the aforementioned benefits. However, as experienced by manycampers, the camp fire can provide less than a satisfactory experienceif the fire generates excessive smoke or excessive ash, or if the firedoes not generate sufficient heat for the comfort of the campers. Woodsmoke can be irritating to the eyes and lungs, and can greatly diminishthe pleasure experienced by a camper. These adverse features aretypically the result of incomplete combustion. A hotter fire is cleanerburning and provides more heat.

A portable device which efficiently combusts a wood product with aminimal amount of smoke is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention satisfy the need described above,specifically a portable camping stove which provides superior combustionof wood products. An embodiment of the portable camping stove has acylindrical combustion chamber having a bottom member and circularlyconfigured vertical side wall which extends upwardly from the bottommember and terminates in a top edge. An interior of the combustionchamber is defined by the bottom member, the circularly configuredvertical side wall, and the top edge. The bottom member may comprise asliding panel or hinged door to facilitate the removal of ashes anddebris.

The circularly configured side wall has a plurality of spaced-apartvertically oriented slots, where each of the spaced-apart verticallyoriented slots extends from the exterior of the combustion chamberthrough the circularly configured side wall to the interior of thecombustion chamber.

A plurality of vertically aligned louver members are disposed in aspiraling configuration about the cylindrical combustion chamber where aportion of each louver member may extend outwardly from the combustionchamber. Each louver member of the plurality of vertically alignedlouver members is disposed in a tangential position to a coincidingadjacent vertical slot of the plurality of spaced-apart verticallyoriented slots, while a portion of each louver member may extend into anadjacent respective slot.

A top member has a top surface which is bounded by an outside edge,where the outside edge is configured to engage the top edge of thecircularly configured vertical side wall of the combustion chamber. Thetop member has an opening which extends through the top surface. Theopening is relatively small with respect to the diameter of thecombustion chamber. Air released from the combustion chamber flowsthrough the opening. The relatively small size of the opening limits anair flow from flowing back through the top member and thereby feedingthe fire from above. This flow restriction forces a greater volume ofair to be drawn in through the slots and louvers in the vertical sidewall of the combustion chamber.

The louver members direct air flow into the combustion chamber such thatduring combustion of the wood product within the cylindrical combustionchamber, a flow of air is drawn past the plurality of vertically alignedlouver members through the plurality of spaced-apart vertically orientedslots into the interior of the combustion chamber. With thisconfiguration, when wood products are burned within the combustionchamber, air is drawn into the combustion chamber through the louvermembers at a direction which is tangential to the cylindrical wall,which creates a mass of whirling air (i.e., a vortex) as the aircirculates and rises within the combustion chamber. The circular motionof the air inside the combustion chamber causes a greater retention timeof the air within the combustion chamber, which provides further oxygento the fire and results in more complete combustion, with a cleaner fireand less smoke.

In another embodiment of the invention, the louver members are eachpivotable about a respective vertical axis for each louver member.

In another embodiment of the invention, each louver member of theplurality of louver members pivots simultaneously with respect to theother louver members.

In another embodiment of the invention, the simultaneous pivoting ofeach of the louver members of the plurality of louver members isactuated by a lever.

In another embodiment of the invention, each of the louver members has agear member integral to the louver member, where the gear member ispositioned at the vertical axis of the louver member.

In another embodiment of the invention, a ring gear encircles thecombustion chamber, where the ring gear has a plurality of inwardlyfacing gear teeth, and each of the louver gear members engages a portionof the inwardly facing teeth.

In another embodiment of the invention, the actuation lever is attachedto the ring gear.

In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of leg members areattached to the combustion chamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, a handle member is attached tothe top member.

In another embodiment of the invention, the top member may be configuredas a truncated cone, with the opening at the center of the top member.The top surface of the top member may be configured from a plurality ofoverlapping plates. A slot may be defined between each of a pair ofadjacent plates. With this configuration, air flow through the topmember may contributed to the formation of a vortex inside thecombustion chamber.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include an embodimenthaving a combustion chamber made up of a lower section and an uppersection. In this embodiment, both sections of the combustion chamber mayhave the vertically aligned slots and louver members discussed above, aswell as utilizing a top member configured as a truncated cone. In thisembodiment, the upper section and top member may be temporarily storedor transported by placing those pieces inside the larger diameter lowersection.

Embodiments of the invention may further include a top member which hasa smoke conduit connected to the opening. In this embodiment, the smokeconduit may further have internal vanes in a spiral configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing how thecombination of the louver members and slots creates a vortex as air isdrawn into the combustion chamber during combustion.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a two stage embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded view of a two stage embodiment depicted inFIG. 4, showing how the components of the invention may be stackedtogether for transportation and storage.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the invention having a top memberhaving a truncated cone configuration.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 6, but havingadjustable louver members.

FIG. 8 depicts a view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, showing how, inthis embodiment, the louver members are adjustable, where each louvermember is pivotable about a vertical axis. FIG. 8 further shows how agear member may be connected to each louver member and how a ring gearmember may be utilized to simultaneously pivot each of the louvermembers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the disclosed invention, discussed in greater detailbelow, provide a portable stove and/or fire pit for containing acampfire for providing heat and light. Because of the structure of theside wall and top, as fuel is consumed and air is drawn into thecombustion chamber, a vortex is formed within the device. This vortexprovides for a more complete burn of the fuel, thereby increasing theheat generated by the stove, and reducing the amount of smoke generatedby the fire.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a firstembodiment 100 of the disclosed portable stove and/or fire pit.Embodiment 100 has a cylindrical combustion chamber 102 which is formedby a circularly configured vertical side wall 104 which extends upwardlyfrom a bottom member 106. Bottom member 106 will typically comprise aflat non-flammable surface which provides support to the wood product tobe consumed within the combustion chamber 102. Bottom member 106 mayinclude a sliding or hinge door or panel to facilitate cleaning theinside of combustion chamber 102.

Vertical side wall 104 terminates in top edge 108, best shown in FIG. 3.Circularly configured vertical side wall 104 has a plurality ofspaced-apart vertically oriented slots 110, also best shown in FIG. 3.Each of the vertically oriented slots 110 extends completely throughvertical side wall 104, allowing air passage from the exterior to theinterior of the cylindrical combustion chamber 102, where the interioris defined by the vertical side wall 104, the bottom member 106 and thetop edge 108.

This embodiment may also comprise a plurality of vertically alignedlouver members 112 which are disposed in a spiraling configuration aboutthe combustion chamber 102. Each of the louver members 112 is disposedtangentially to a respective vertically oriented slot 110. It is to beappreciated that vertically aligned louver members 112 may be formed asseparate structural members which extend outwardly from vertical sidewall 104 as depicted in FIG. 1. However, louver members 112 may beintegral to vertical side wall 104, and formed by contouring verticallyoriented slots 110, where a leading edge of the slot may extendoutwardly and a trailing edge of the slot may extend inwardly, similarto the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6. In either case, during combustionof a wood product within combustion chamber 102, a flow of air is drawnpast the vertically aligned louver members 112 and through the pluralityof vertically oriented slots 110 into the interior of the combustionchamber.

In one embodiment, vertically oriented slots 110 will beginapproximately 1½ inches above bottom member 106 and will extend upwardlyto within approximately 1½ inches below top edge 108. Louver members 112may be fashioned by bending the edges of the vertically oriented slots110 as discussed above, with all of the louver members 112 bent to facethe same direction about the circumference of the combustion chamber102.

Alternatively, as illustrated in for the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1and 4, the louver members may be formed by separate structural membersattached to combustion chamber 102.

This embodiment also has a top member 114. Top member 114 has a topsurface 116 which is bounded by outside edge 118. Outside edge 118 isconfigured to engage top edge 108 of the cylindrical combustion chamber102. Top member 114 has an opening 120 which extends through the topsurface 116. Top member 114 may further comprise a plurality of slices122 which extend in a radial direction along and through top surface116. Slices 122 will also draw in air as combustion occurs in combustionchamber 102.

Opening 120 is relatively small with respect to the diameter of thecombustion chamber 102. For example, if combustion chamber 102 has adiameter of 18 inches, an appropriate diameter for opening 120 is 7½inches, so an appropriate ratio of combustion chamber diameter toopening diameter is 2.4. The appropriate height for a combustion chamberhaving an 18 inch diameter is approximately 11 inches. All of thesedimensions may be varied, but in order to optimize the generation of thevortex inside the combustion chamber 102, the inventor herein has foundit preferable to maintain the approximate ratios between combustionchamber diameter height and diameter, as well as the ratio of thediameter of the opening 120 to the diameter of the combustion chamber.

FIG. 2 depicts a view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing how thecombination of the louver members and slots creates a vortex as air isdrawn into the combustion chamber during combustion. FIG. 2 also depictsa configuration of the relationship between slots 110 and louver members112. Louver members 112 may comprise a leading edge 124 and a trailingedge 126.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. As furthershown in the exploded view, embodiments of the disclosed portable stoveand/or fire pit may comprise handle members 128 which attach to topmember 114 and leg members 130 which attach to bottom member 106 of thecylindrical combustion chamber 102.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment 200 of the disclosed portable stoveand/or fire pit. Embodiment 200 has a cylindrical combustion chamber 202which is formed by a bottom section 250 and a top section 260. Bottomsection 250 has a first circularly configured vertical side wall 204which extends upwardly from a bottom member 206. First circularlyconfigured side wall 204 terminates in an upper edge 208, best shown inFIG. 5. Top section 260 has a second circularly configured vertical sidewall 204′ which is bounded at a top end by a top edge 208′ and extendsdownwardly and terminates in lower edge 206′. Lower edge 206′ of topsection 260 engages upper edge 208 of bottom section 250. An interior isdefined by the bottom member 206, the first circularly configured sidewall 204, the second circularly configured side wall 204′ and the topedge 208′. As shown in FIG. 5, for storage and transportation, topsection 260 (as well as top member 214) may be turned upside down andplaced inside bottom section 250. Bottom section 250 may have handles228 attached to facilitate transporting the entire device.

Bottom member 206 will typically comprise a flat non-flammable surfacewhich provides support to the wood product to be consumed within thecombustion chamber 202. Bottom member 206 may include a sliding or hingedoor or panel to facilitate cleaning the inside of combustion chamber202.

First circularly configured vertical side wall 204 of bottom section 250has a plurality of spaced-apart vertically oriented slots 210 best seenin FIG. 5. Each of the vertically oriented slots 210 extends completelythrough vertical side wall 204, allowing air passage from the exteriorto the interior of the cylindrical combustion chamber 202. Likewise,second circularly configured vertical side wall 204′ of top section 260has a plurality of vertically oriented slots 210′, also best seen inFIG. 5.

This embodiment may also comprise a plurality of vertically alignedlouver members 212 which are disposed in a spiraling configuration aboutbottom section 250. Each of the louver members 212 is disposedtangentially to a respective vertically oriented slot 210. It is to beappreciated that vertically aligned louver members 212 may be formed asseparate structural members which extend outwardly from vertical sidewall 204 as depicted in FIG. 4. However, louver members 212 may beintegral to vertical side wall 204, and formed by contouring verticallyoriented slots 210, where a leading edge of the slot may extendoutwardly and a trailing edge of the slot may extend inwardly, similarto the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

This embodiment may also comprise a plurality of vertically alignedlouver members 212 which are disposed in a spiraling configuration aboutbottom section 250. Each of the louver members 212 is disposedtangentially to a respective vertically oriented slot 210. It is to beappreciated that vertically aligned louver members 212 may be formed asseparate structural members which extend outwardly from vertical sidewall 204 as depicted in FIG. 4. However, louver members 212 may beintegral to vertical side wall 204, and formed by contouring verticallyoriented slots 210, where a leading edge of the slot may extendoutwardly and a trailing edge of the slot may extend inwardly, similarto the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

This embodiment may also comprise a plurality of vertically alignedlouver members 212′ which are disposed in a spiraling configurationabout top section 260. Each of the louver members 212′ is disposedtangentially to a respective vertically oriented slot 210′. It is to beappreciated that vertically aligned louver members 212′ may be formed asseparate structural members which extend outwardly from vertical sidewall 204′ as depicted in FIG. 4. However, louver members 212′ may beintegral to vertical side wall 204′, and formed by contouring verticallyoriented slots 210′, where a leading edge of the slot may extendoutwardly and a trailing edge of the slot may extend inwardly, similarto the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.

Top member 214 may include a smoke conduit 270 which funnels smoke outof the interior of combustion chamber 202. Smoke conduit 270 may haveinternal vanes 272 on the interior.

Embodiment 200 may further comprise leg members 230 and handle members228 on both bottom section 250 and top section 260.

FIG. 6 depicts embodiment 300 of the disclosed portable stove and/orfire pit. Embodiment 300 has a cylindrical combustion chamber 302.Cylindrical combustion chamber 302 has a first circularly configuredvertical side wall 304 which extends upwardly from a bottom member 306.First circularly configured side wall 304 terminates in an upper edge308. An interior is defined by the bottom member 306, the circularlyconfigured side wall 304, and the upper edge 308. Bottom member 306 willtypically comprise a flat non-flammable surface which provides supportto the wood product to be consumed within the combustion chamber 302.Bottom member 306 may include a sliding or hinge door or panel tofacilitate cleaning the inside of combustion chamber 302.

Circularly configured vertical side wall 304 has a plurality ofspaced-apart vertically oriented slots 310. Each of the verticallyoriented slots 310 extends completely through vertical side wall 304,allowing air passage from the exterior to the interior of thecylindrical combustion chamber 302.

Embodiment 300 may also comprise a plurality of vertically alignedlouver members 312 which are disposed in a spiraling configuration aboutcylindrical combustion chamber 302. Each of the louver members 312 isdisposed tangentially to a respective vertically oriented slot 310. Itis to be appreciated that vertically aligned louver members 312 may beformed as integral to vertical side wall 304 as depicted in FIG. 6, andformed by contouring vertically oriented slots 310, where a leading edgeof the slot may extend outwardly and a trailing edge of the slot mayextend inwardly, similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6.Vertically aligned louver members 312 may also be formed as separatestructural members which extend outwardly from vertical side wall 304 asdepicted in FIG. 7.

Top member 314 may be configured as a truncated cone, with opening 320at the center of the top member. Top surface 316 may be configured froma plurality of overlapping plates 372. A slot 322 may be defined betweeneach pair of adjacent plates 372.

Embodiment 300 may further comprise leg members 330 and a handle member,not shown.

FIG. 7 depicts embodiment 400 of the disclosed portable stove and/orfire pit. Embodiment 400 has a cylindrical combustion chamber 402.Cylindrical combustion chamber 402 has a first circularly configuredvertical side wall 404 which extends upwardly from a bottom member 406.First circularly configured side wall 404 terminates in an upper edge408. An interior is defined by the bottom member 406, the circularlyconfigured side wall 404, and the upper edge 408. Bottom member 406 willtypically comprise a flat non-flammable surface which provides supportto the wood product to be consumed within the combustion chamber 402.Bottom member 406 may include a sliding or hinge door or panel tofacilitate cleaning the inside of combustion chamber 402.

Circularly configured vertical side wall 404 has a plurality ofspaced-apart vertically oriented slots 410, as best shown in FIG. 8.Each of the vertically oriented slots 410 extends completely throughvertical side wall 404, allowing air passage from the exterior to theinterior of the cylindrical combustion chamber 402.

Embodiment 400 may also comprise a plurality of vertically alignedlouver members 412 which are disposed in a spiraling configuration aboutcylindrical combustion chamber 402. Each of the louver members 412 isdisposed tangentially to a respective vertically oriented slot 410.Vertically aligned louver members 412 are formed as separate structuralmembers which extend outwardly from vertical side wall 304. As shown inFIG. 8, in this embodiment each louver member 412 is pivotable about avertical axis A. Each louver member may also have its own gear member472 which is axially aligned with vertical axis A. Each of the louvermembers may pivot simultaneously with each of the other louver membersand may be pivoted by actuation of lever 480. As further shown in FIG.8, a ring gear 482 may encircle cylindrical combustion chamber 402. Ringgear 482 may comprise inwardly facing teeth 484 and each of the gearmembers 472 may engage a portion of the teeth 484 of the ring gear.

Top member 414 may be configured as a truncated cone, with opening 420at the center of the top member. Top surface 416 may be configured froma plurality of overlapping plates 472. A slot 422 may be defined betweeneach pair of adjacent plates 472.

Embodiment 400 may further comprise leg members 430 and a handle member,not shown.

The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein will be fabricatedfrom non-flammable materials, such as sheet metal and similar materials.In addition to creating a hotter fire with less smoke, combustion withinthe device forms a vortex motion which captures the remaining smoke andfumes, forcing these to rise straight up above the fire pit, resultingin reduced smoke experienced by those sitting nearby. Unlike open firepits, or non-vortex fire pits, the wind has much less effect on blowingthe smoke around with the the disclosed design. The disclosedembodiments catch the wind from any direction with the louvres, stokingthe fire, increasing the rate of rotation of the vortex, combusting thefuel even more efficiently, and increasing the height of the vortexabove the fire pit, thus forcing the remaining smoke up higher before itis released from the vortex to angle off with the wind—again, reducingthe amount of smoke experienced by those sitting near the fire. Theincreased heat from the fire heats up the metal walls of the cylinder,and radiates outward, creating a very warm area surrounding the firepit, thus providing more warmth than an open fire.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what isclaimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includesthe following:

1. A portable camping stove for combustion of a wood product, theportable camping stove comprising: a cylindrical combustion chambercomprising a bottom member and circularly configured vertical side wallextending upwardly from the bottom member, the vertical side wallterminating in a top edge, wherein an interior is defined by the bottommember, the circularly configured vertical side wall, and the top edge,wherein the circularly configured side wall comprises a plurality ofspaced-apart vertically oriented slots, wherein each of the spaced-apartvertically oriented slots extends through the circularly configured sidewall to the interior; a plurality of vertically aligned louver membersdisposed in a spiraling configuration about the cylindrical combustionchamber, wherein each louver member of the plurality of verticallyaligned louver members is disposed tangentially to a respective verticalslot of the plurality of spaced-apart vertically oriented slots, whereinduring combustion of the wood product within the cylindrical combustionchamber, a flow of air is drawn past the plurality of vertically alignedlouver members through the plurality of spaced-apart vertically orientedslots into the interior; and a top member comprising a bottom sectioncomprising a vertical circumferential band section configured to engagethe top edge of the circularly configured vertical side wall, the topmember further comprising a top surface which is circumferentially boundby the circumferential band section, the top surface extending generallyupwardly and radially inward from the circumferential band section,whereby the top surface partially covers the interior, the top memberfurther comprising an opening extending through the top surface.
 2. Theportable camping stove of claim 1 wherein the opening comprises acircular opening.
 3. The portable camping stove of claim 2 wherein thecircular opening is concentric with the circumferential band section. 4.The portable camping stove of claim 1 further comprising a plurality ofleg members attached to the cylindrical combustion chamber.
 5. Theportable camping stove of claim 1 wherein the top surface comprises aplurality of slots extending inward toward a center of the top member.6. The portable camping stove of claim 5 wherein the plurality of slotsare in a radially aligned configuration.
 7. The portable camping stoveof claim 1 wherein the top member comprises opposite facing handlemembers attached to the circumferential band section.
 8. A portablecamping stove for combustion of a wood product, the portable campingstove comprising: a cylindrical combustion chamber comprising a bottommember and circularly configured vertical side wall extending upwardlyfrom the bottom member, the vertical side wall terminating in a topedge, wherein an interior is defined by the bottom member, thecircularly configured vertical side wall, and the top edge, wherein thecircularly configured side wall comprises a plurality of spaced-apartvertically oriented slots; a plurality of vertically aligned louvermembers disposed in a spiraling configuration about the cylindricalcombustion chamber, wherein each louver member of the plurality ofvertically aligned louver members is disposed tangentially to arespective vertical slot of the plurality of spaced-apart verticallyoriented slots, each slot and louver member defining a slot-louvercombination, wherein each slot-louver combination is configured suchthat during the combustion of the wood product within the cylindricalcombustion chamber, a vortex of air flow is generated in the cylindricalcombustion chamber; a top member comprising a bottom section comprisinga vertical circumferential band section configured to engage the topedge of the circularly configured vertical side wall, the top memberfurther comprising a top surface which is circumferentially bound by thecircumferential band section, the top surface extending generallyupwardly and radially inward from the circumferential band section,whereby the top surface partially covers the interior, the top memberfurther comprising an opening extending through the top surface.
 9. Theportable camping stove of claim 8 wherein the opening comprises acircular opening.
 10. The portable camping stove of claim 9 wherein thecircular opening is concentric with the circumferential band section.11. The portable camping stove of claim 8 further comprising a pluralityof leg members attached to the cylindrical combustion chamber.
 12. Theportable camping stove of claim 8 wherein the top surface comprises aplurality of slots extending toward a center of the top member.
 13. Theportable camping stove of claim 12 wherein the plurality of slots are ina radially aligned configuration.
 14. The portable camping stove ofclaim 8 wherein the top member comprises opposite facing handle membersattached to the circumferential band section.